West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-10-13

earnest; with a low, soft Solce, snd |
eloquent dark eyes; wise. in all mere
worldly learning aud culture, aud with a
suppressed force, ot passion; or earnest
ness-sho could hardly define the thing /
to herselt-but a something that set him |
apart from other men, from the first.
IL was an easy matter for him 20 win /
her heart for all the possibilities she
saw in him were for good, and he was
an nssiduous wooer, but she did not so /
easily Conseht as show her love, much I
less confess it. But, having once done /
SO, he pressed for speedy marriage, |
and he said he would speak 10 Mr. Dal- !
ton, on whom everything depended, that |
very evening; for Agnes would never |
marry without her fathers consent. and |
somehow Mr.. Dalton did not very much /
admire Phillip Wynne, though he was a |
good deal at Rosedeue. Had he thought !
~ suitors for his daughters hand. which |
he never had, Jack Hardy would have |
been much more acceptable He was /
therefore much surprised when Mr.. |
Wynne laid his proposals before him |
that evening after dinner, He would |
even have objected for his Instructive |
dislike and distrust of the man were
strong at that moment-bu for two
things. Philip spoke with quiet cor
tainty OF having won Agncs's love and
Mi Dalton had received d telegram from
his senior partner, Mr.. Driver, that dis
quoted him very much He could
not understand It, but none the
less he experienced strange sense
Of uneasincss, especially as he
knew that things lad been "a
little wrong with his partner for some
time. SO he accepted Mr.. Wayne's pro-
posals, not with enthusiasm, but still
with tolerably good grace, and even con
sented TO an early date being fixed for
the wedding. An hour lntcr when he
saw his daughters radiant, blushinp face
and the deep tender light in her ewes
whenever they rested on her lover all
his scruples vanished and he was even
cordial to Philip Wynne; the child evi-
IDENTIFY loved him, so there was no more
TO be said
That was Saturday and the Sunday
following seemed TO Agges Dalton the
most perfectly beautiful day of her life.
Philip came over TO Rosdene early, and
they walked TO church together through
the shady lanes and shining fields. He
did not utter one word of love-Agncs
often remembered that--nor did he rail
at the usclcssness of things, and the
hclplesshess OF manj nor did he even
smile when Agnes said that every day, il
we liked, we could all do something to
lessen the sInse of human sufferings and
misery.
I'VE will try together, Agnes" he
said, looking at her tenderly "Hith.
erto fear | have done more to increase
rather than diminish the sum of human
woe-but you will help mel"
Heaven helping me, " she said softly.
That was Sunday. On Monday after
noon, while Agnes Dalton sat i'm her IA
vorite -hady nook waiting for the coming
OF her lover, she was startled by an un-
familiar step on the messy slope, and,
looking up saw Michael Anger.
"My father-what is it2" she cried.
diyining something was wrong. "TclI
me, Michuell"
ats hard to tell, Miss Agnes; but you
are brave and strong, and know where
to look for help in time of need. "
"My father, Michac2 My fatherl"
"IIes broken, miss but alive. Driver
& Dalton has gone to smash Driver
has escaped, and Dalton is left TO bear
all the blame--Dalton and met"
"What is iti what has happened? who
is hurti In pity, Michael, tell mew
"The firm, Miss Agncss that is, the
master and me. Drivers gone, escaped
and taken everything with him. Were
ruined, bankrupt disgracedW ~
"Oh is that alli feared my father
was il -Or perhaps dead, Michael"
Worse than i'll, worse than dead -
disgraced, Miss Agnesw the old man
walled. "EvcTything is gonew
''Never mind, old friend while there's
life there's hope. Poor ruined, we may
be; but disgraced, never 1t is only a
matter Of money, / know some one who
will help us. Come, cheer up, and tell
me the very worstp
There's no best or worst about II.
Miss Agnes Mr. Driver has realized
every penny the firm could command:
stolen ali our securities; stained our
name and absconded that's all d"
Father is not 20 blame And what
does it matter being poor" Agnes said,
bravely.
"God help you, Miss Agnes, and en-
able you 90 bear itl"
ole will, Michael am not afraid.
Where is my father"
''In the house; nc asked me 10 tell
yOu-hc felt 80 broken"
81 must go to him at once. I have
stayed too long. Poor father as il any
thing mattcred while have him.
ooh, my dear, my dear the little
childie / carried in my arms the sweet,
wise little lassie that used % try TO com
fort old Michael It's a poor return for
all my love and care, and for all your
goodness, 70 make me tell you the sad
dest story every loving child heard. Ny
dear, my honored master had "a stroke
and is quite unconscious The doctor
says he is not in any immediate danger,
but he will never be himself again. /
fear, with this trouble hanging over
him
"Oh, yes, he will, Michael We have
friend who viii help us out Of the
money difficulty"
"A letter for you, Miss Agnes. marked
immciatc, P" q servant said breathlessly.
'aud, please the doctor wants ~ see
you
Agnes opened tho letter with trembling
fingers. 10 was very brief
"MY DEAR GIRL. We were both nito
ken you boo thinking YOU could love "a worth
less scOundrel like me--I iu faucyinr could
ever deserve your love. J am going 10 Ja.
pan. Farewell
fftI.r 1.ff.- .F.....r